Thursday September 2, 2010

Co-op is going great!My placement with the marine and freshwater research lab continues to have its fair share of surprises.From pulling up a light logger and dragging an octopus into the boat… to stumbling across an 18kg Mulloway (aka Jew Fish) that had just had its head severed cleanly off by the Rottnest Ferry!The poor guy was still twitching when we pulled him (and his last meal, a smaller fish) aboard!I'm constantly learning and gaining tons of hands-on skills!

Last week I attended a diver drill day.The marine environmental consultant agency -Oceanica, runs mandatory drill days on a regular basis to ensure their certified commercial divers keep their skills up to date.The supervisor created different emergency situations that could occur while diving and we all had to re-enact the situation with only one team member actually knowing what the situation was.It was a really important learning exercise, and it really showed how crucial it is to keep first aid and diving safety skills up to par!

On the weekend, I went on a torchlight tour of the Fremantle Prison.I love going on ghost tours and exploring "haunted" places, so the torchlight tour was right up m alley!The actual tour was very interesting, and I don't want to give anything away to anyone who might be reading this and planning on visiting the prison; but all I'm going to say is that I may have jumped a few times and returned home with a bruise in the shape of a handprint!(Someone… not mentioning any names… got a little scared! Haha)

On the Sunday, I ventured over to "The Hangout"--- the local indoor rockclimbing gym with Rune and Danny.It's been awhile since I last rockclimbed, so I was a bit out of shape!It's amazing how a few years off can really impact your climb!It really makes me want to get back into climbing when I return home though!Any takers?

This week has been pretty uneventful.I've been working from home (aka the library) on my wetland project for the professor I'm working with. I'm really enjoying the project, but my deadline is quickly approaching, which means less time spent on the boat and more time working on wetlands!

I've been a bit crook (Aussie for sick) with a sore throat and cough this week so was quite happy to be taking it easy and making my own hours.I've come to the realization that Australia hates my throat.I am NEVER sick in Canada, and BAM...I come here and I've been sick multiple times, always starting with a sore throat!This weekend is going to be just as uneventful as I try to take it easy and nurse myself back to health!